The Opposite of Love

Read: 1 John 3:11-18

“What is the opposite of love?” The most frequent response is - hate! 

The story of how Cain killed his brother Abel, taken from the first annuals of history recorded in the book of Genesis seems to support this notion.

When anger brews it erupts into hate. But often something more going on under the surface, some other buried emotion that is firing things up. 

Verse 12 says, “And why did he (Cain) murder him (Abel)? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous.” 

Cain was plagued by his own guilt, inadequacy and feelings of lack. His feelings were revved up to an even higher frenzied state when his brother’s righteous actions seemed to further expose him.  Rather than being inspired by his brother’s love for God, Cain instead, turned inward looking for any way possible to protect himself, and STOP this disconcerting, painful and shame filled exposure. 

Cain’s fear lead him to bitterness, anger, rage, hate and ultimately murder.

The truth of the matter is that the opposite of love is selfishness, manifesting itself in the need to self-protect. 

What if YOU knew that all you have done, your inadequacies, your failures, bad choices, every wrong you have ever done was laid bare before everyone to see?  How would you react?

Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Jesus, God’s only Son, the ONLY fully righteous human to ever walk this earth, freely gave His life for YOU! He looked down through the ages and saw YOU, a broken, lost, weary human in need of forgiveness and restoration.  He FREELY gives out of the ABUNDANCE of God’s storehouse of LOVE that has an endless supply line. 

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.” 1 John 3:16

So, the next time you are met with someone who is angry or full of hate, ask yourself,

“What hurt, or fear might this person be experiencing that I don’t know about? How can I show them love today?”

The next time you are angry, ask yourself, “What is this really about?  What fear can I give up to God and trust that His love will be enough for me in this situation today?”